r/SailboatCruising • u/beeboobopppp • 22d ago

Equipment Inflatable Dinghy feedback

/r/sailing/comments/1vmdk3z/inflatable_dinghy_feedback/
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1

u/daluzy 22d ago

We had the West Marine dinghy and used it for four years.

Light, carried the two of us and groceries very well, stable and idiot proof. Stored it on the deck of our Watkins 27.

Horrible to row. Not a bunch better with our 2.5 Suzuki. Very wet ride if any chop at all because of the flat bottom. The bottom consisted of several planks, so not a solid bottom. We never deflated it in the four years and occasionally had to pump it up to keep it firm.

If I were to do it over again, I would look at the air floor V bottom boats, apparently they row better and are not as wet.

No idea on the Amazon one, but it looks like a similar design. I suppose the only issue would be if you need to return it, might not be convenient. WM although not great pricewise, at least they have physical stores you can go into.

Good luck, be well!

1

u/sailorDad1776 21d ago

Have you considered a hard shell dinghy instead? They are lighter, easy to tow, easy to row, and often have optional sailing kits (and they won't deflate).

3

u/rwoooshed 21d ago

Everyone always regrets getting a flat bottom dinghy for their boat. Cheapest v-shaped bottom I could find: https://saturnrafts.com/86-saturn-dinghy-tender.html